The Dream is alive....in the Martinez home at least!

Well Sunday seemed like the perfect afternoon to make Gingerbread cookies! Daddy was on call and unfortunately got a call right when we started, so we made some for him and let him in on the eating action when he got back! I say "the Dream is alive" because when Ayden made his cookie, which was a huge one that only got half eaten, he said "Mom, when I bake him, and then he runs away, then I will catch him, and THEN I will eat him!" Love it...and to make it all the more special, one little guy decided to try and get away, really, right before his little body hardened into the rock that are ginger snaps! Picture of proof...(Love )
ps: I have to add some justifications!! The pan: yes, I know, mom gave it to me, it looks like I need a new one! Its clean, just over used! Poor thing, Im cheap though, so theres that justification!
The Kitchen: yep, it was a hot mess! And I didnt help it by looking a mess in front of the mess that is my fridge! :) Flour in fun spots and hair everywhere! No justification for my looks, :) but I can say right after that my kitchen got a proper and thorough cleaning! Even the poor fridge top and front! :) I'm sure I will have to do it all again tomorrow :) LOVE

Rusty and Rosy School!

Well after much debate, worry, prayer, etc. we found a program we love for Ayden! It's a great state run program called UPSTART, and they use a fun computer program called Rusty and Rosy Learn with me! We love it so far. It's nothing too intense for a pre-school aged child! I have to say I love my sister's for all their good input, advice, and encouragement as I've contemplated schooling at home, or charter school, or what! And a shout out to the best father on this earth! In my biased opinion at least :) Joel would go to the ends of the earth to make sure he looked into, read about, and researched every schooling opportunity out there for Ayden, and he is only of age for Preschool!!! He is a great Father to our two children, they adore him and he them! And I kinda like him too :)
I have to say I strongly agree with the principles a TJED teaches! My sis Jen introduced us to this type of learning, A Thomas Jefferson Education. I was privileged to hear the founder Oliver DeMille speak at a conference held near their college, George Wythe, In St. George when Ayden was just a babe! My sis Jen took Mom and I and we loved it. We love the 4 basics of: home, love, work, play! If you are ever interested in more about this type of an education its very enlightening and can open your home to a whole new idea and way of doing things! Our home, every part can be a learning environment! I am no expert though, I think my sis Jen can be classified as one so write her for further enlightenment! I hope I have only shed good light on this wonderful program, and holla to any moms trying to educate your children! I support all efforts and programs that benefit our children and expand their little minds to the wonders around us! We'll see how we do with Rusty and Rosy as a small part of our education process! My lil' man Ayden is very excited about his own computer set up in his own corner of the living room! I used my Cricket cutter to make a little sign for him that he LOVED! I've put a pic of him by his computer, and a pic of us after we discussed the weather changes outside! He was inspired by his new "blogger mom" so he insisted we take pics of him in the rain and leaves, and then one of me! Yikes....to be fair, rain was in my eyes, I had just finished morning chores, and....I dont know! We had fun though, which means a lot around here! Enjoy :) Love

Halloween!

Well I was very sick with strep throat, which started right before Halloween, so I am using that as my excuse for just now posting these pics! Since Halloween was on a Sunday this year, everyone in Provo just trick-or-treats on the Saturday before! It's great being by so many members on Holidays like this because the whole community has the same plans! So since it was very nasty outside, rainy and all, and we wanted the experience, but our kids could do without TONS of candy, we opted for the mall trick-or-treating! We've never done this before, but got to go with our "family" (best friends here!) the Greenlands! Jacob and Kalel were Mario and Luigi, and little miss Rain Arielle was Toadette! Ayden and Grecia got the most special privilege of having their Abuelita "Lita" Virginia make them girl and boy Dinosaur costumes! She is amazingly talented with her sewing and whipped these costumes up very quickly! We are so lucky to have a talented Grandma on both sides of our fam! We are always receiving the best homemade items! We also went to our ward halloween party at the church, so you will see a couple different painted faces, none were very successful but oh well! Ayden painted his own face most of the time! Oh well we had fun and the costumes were great! The kids were a little tired as the pics will show from all the hoopla! Lis is glad to breathe a bit before the next fun holiday! We love this winter feeling! Enjoy our halloween pics :) Love